IsoEnergy Commences Athabasca Basin Winter 2025 Exploration Program
IsoEnergy Commences Athabasca Basin Winter 2025 Exploration Program
Toronto, ON, January 14, 2025 – IsoEnergy Ltd. (“IsoEnergy” or the “Company”) (TSX: ISO; OTCQX:
ISENF) is pleased to announce the commencement of its 2025 winter exploration program in the eastern
Athabasca Basin, Canada (Figure 1) designed to build on the Company’s successful 2024 season. A total of
8,800 metres of drilling are planned on the Larocque East project, which contains the high-grade Hurricane
deposit, with mobilization to the project underway. The focus of the program is twofold , with drilling to
test resource expansion potential near the Hurricane deposit and the evaluation of greenfield targets
along the Larocque Trend (“Larocque Trend”) east of Hurricane. Geophysical surveys are also planned on
the Hawk, Evergreen and East Rim projects to advance these early-stage projects to the drill ready stage.
A total budget of $ 5.3 million has been approved for the winter exploration program s in the Athabasca
Basin.
Highlights
• Hurricane Deposit Resource Expansion
o Approximately 2,800 metres of drilling in s even holes will target gaps in historic drilling
near the Hurricane deposit and 2024’s Target Area B (Figure 2).
o Drilling will test areas where prior results indicate geochemical anomalies and alteration
associated with fault extensions that control mineralization within the Hurricane resource
(Figure 2).
• Greenfield Targets Along the Larocque Trend
o Up to 6,000 metres of drilling in 15 holes will test a six-kilometre segment of the Larocque
Trend east of the Hurricane deposit (Figures 3 and 4).
o Drilling will focus initially on three target areas (D, E, and F) identified through 2024’s
integration of geophysical and geochemical data. The trend on which these target areas
lie extends eastward on to IsoEnergy and Purepoint Uranium’s joint venture announced
late last year (Figure 2).
• Geophysical Surveys on Highly Ranked, Early-Stage Projects
o Ground geophysical surveys are planned on the East Rim , Evergreen, and Hawk projects
(Figure 1) to advance targets to the drill-ready stage.
Dan Brisbin, Vice President of Exploration, stated , “We are eager to launch our winter exploration
program, which includes testing deposit expansion targets around the margins of the Hurricane deposit
and exploring for new deposits along the highly prospective Larocque Trend. Targets on this corridor were
identified through a comprehensive integration of drill hole geology, geochemistry, alteration mineralogy,
and geophysical data, including electromagnetic, DC resistivity, and ANT surveys. The approach builds on
the understanding that Athabasca uranium deposits often consist of multiple zones distributed along
trends several ki lometres in length, suggesting the potential for additional discoveries beyond the
Hurricane deposit. Drilling in the easternmost target areas of the Larocque East project will also enhance
our understanding of favo urable structural trends extending onto the Turnor Lake project to the east,
where our joint venture partner, Purepoint Uranium, is advancing plans for future drilling.”
Figure 1 – Location of IsoEnergy’s exploration projects in the eastern Athabasca Basin.
Resource Expansion Targets at Hurricane
Drilling will commence with testing resource expansion targets near the Hurricane deposit and between
it and 2024 Target Area B (Figure 2). Review of 2024 and past drill results has highlighted gaps in drill hole
patterns where nearby holes intersected indicative geochemistry and alteration along projected
extensions of faults which control mineralization within the Hurricane resource.
Historical results on the south side of the Hurricane deposit are encouraging, with drill hole LE22 -115A
intersecting 1% U₃O₈ over 2.0 m and LE21-101 intersecting 0.6% U₃O₈ over 4.5 m, including a higher-grade
interval of 3.1% U₃O₈ over 0.5 m (see November 16, 2021, and July 15, 2022, press releases) . These
intersections are proximal to a fault that controls a southern high-grade lens in the resource, underscoring
the structural influence on mineralization and opening the possibility to extend the existing lens or identify
additional mineralized lenses along this southern fault outside of the existing resource footprint.
Holes from the east end of the Hurricane resource footprint and to the east end of ambient noise
tomography (“ANT”) target Area B drilled in 2024 have strong illite clay alteration and uranium partial
(“Up”) geochemical signatures, and structural disruption so additional holes are planned to test drilling
gaps in this area that is along the eastward strike extension of the faults that control the main portion of
the Hurricane deposit.
Finally, review of historical drill hole data reveals that the northern faults at Hurricane – intersected in
holes drilled from the north to intersect the deposit at depth (e.g. LE19-15) - remain largely untested at
the unconformity, presenting a compelling target which will be tested this winter.
Figure 2 – Location of planned winter 2025 drill holes with respect to the Hurricane deposit resource
footprint (blue) and the ANT seismic low velocity zone in which the deposit occurs.
Regional Targets on the Larocque Trend
With addition of a second drill rig, drilling of greenfield targets are expected to proceed from west to east
across the Larocque Trend, as drill trails are prepared. The Larocque Trend is an important regional
structure that hosts the world-class Hurricane deposit and other notable high-grade occurrences including
those on Cameco/Orano’s Dawn Lake joint venture (Figure 3).
Figure 3 – Location of the Larocque Trend which hosts the high-grade Hurricane deposit and high-
grade uranium occurrences on adjacent projects. IsoEnergy’s winter 2025 drilling will be focussed on
this trend east of the Hurricane deposit on the Larocque East project.
* See Qualified Person Statement below.
Three of the target areas (D, E, and F) defined in 2024 that will be prioritized are characterized by
anomalous Up geochemistry, indicative clay species alteration mineralogy, and prospective structure
projected from nearby holes within the Larocque Trend and within seismic low velocity zones defined by
2024 ANT surveys and resistivity lows outlined by past DC -resistivity surveys . A joint inversion of
electromagnetic and DC resistivity data to develop improved resistivity mapping of alteration is in progress
and will be used in refining drill targets. Planned drill holes will be focussed initially in areas D, E and F and
plans will evolve depending on results as the program proceeds. Unconformity target depth shallows to
the east and is at 175 m vertical depth in hole LE24-180 at Area E versus a 325 m at the Hurricane deposit.
Area D, corresponding to adjacent portions of areas D, I and J as defined by 2024 ANT surveys ( see
November 6, 2024, press release). The target area coincides with ANT low velocity and low DC-resistivity
zones on the conductor corridor zone. Drill hole LE22-116 intersected 369 parts per million uranium partial
(“ppm Up”) in basal sandstone from 281.5 to 282.0 m and 2,750 ppm U p from 282.0 to 282.5 m in the
basement (see July 15, 2022, press release). Similarly, drill hole LE24-177, completed during the summer
of 2024, intersected up to 42.8 ppm Up in basal sandstone. This hole also encountered strong alteration
features, including hydrothermal hematite and clay, along with significant sandstone structural
characteristics.
Area E corresponds to an ANT velocity low roughly coincident with the hinge of an east -trending,
moderately west-plunging fold at the east end of the property , where IsoEnergy’s 2024 summer drilling
following up on historic hole KER-17 intersected significant structures in all drill holes. Drill hole LE24-192
recorded up to 334 ppm Up over 0.5 m in sandstone and up to 1,110 ppm Up in the basement. Drill hole
LE24-180 intersected up to 462 ppm Up in sandstone, while LE24-190 encountered strong clay alteration
and structural features from 209 m to the unconformity at 268.6 m. Additionally, this hole recorded >1
ppm Up below 180 m in sandstone, with a maximum of 7.0 ppm Up from 265.1 to 265.6 m.
Area F, located in the northeast, is centered on the conductor corridor and aligns with roughly coincident
ANT velocity low and resistivity anomalies. 2025 drilling i n areas E and F will also help correlations
between fertile trends on the Larocque East project and conductors on the Turnor Lake project to the east
which is now part of a joint venture between IsoEnergy and Purepoint created in 2024 and on which
Purepoint, as the exploration operator, is proposing exploration plans for 2025.
Figure 4 – Location of winter 2025 target areas along the Larocque Trend east of the Hurricane deposit.
Developing Drill Targets on Additional Highly Ranked Projects
Ground gravity surveys are planned on the East Rim and Evergreen projects (Figure 1) that cover multiple
conductive and structural corridors on the southeast basin margin. Stepwise moving loop electromagnetic
surveys are planned for the Hawk project (Figure 1) to further refine the interpretation of conductor plates
(proxies for graphitic faults and rock units) that are used along with low seismic velocity zones mapped by
ANT surveys (proxies for rock alteration) and existing drill hole geology and geochemistry information to
identify drill targets on the Hawk project. The goal of these geophysical surveys is to advance targ ets on
these highly prospective early -stage projects to the drill -ready stage. Contractor selection is in progress
and work permits are expected to be received in February 2025.
Update on Plan of Arrangement with Anfield
IsoEnergy also wishes to provide an update in connection with the previously announced plan of
arrangement with Anfield Energy Inc. (“Anfield”) under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia)
(the “Arrangement”). While the outside date under the arrangement agreement has passed, IsoEnergy is
continuing to consider the Arrangement and potential options and alternatives. IsoEnergy will update the
market as soon as further information becomes available.
Qualified Person Statement
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Dr.
Dan Brisbin, P.Geo., IsoEnergy’s Vice President, Exploration, who is a “Qualified Person” (as defined in NI
43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). All 'HK' and 'LE' series drill holes were completed
by IsoEnergy, and geochemical analyses were completed for the Company by SRC Geoanalytical
Laboratories (“SRC”) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, which is independent of the Company . All other dri ll
holes were completed by previous operators and geochemical assay data has been compiled from
historical assessment reports or provided by the previous operator(s).
For additional information regarding the Company’s Larocque East Project, including the current mineral
resource estimate for IsoEnergy’s Hurricane Deposit [and the quality assurance and quality control
(“QA/QC”) procedures applied to the exploration work described in this news release, please see the
Technical Report titled “Technical Report on the Larocque East Project, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada”
dated August 4, 2022, on the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC)
Quality Assurance in uranium exploration benefits from the use of down -hole gamma probes and hand-
held scintillometers/spectrometers, as discrepancies between radioactivity levels and geochemistry can
be readily identified.
IsoEnergy implemented its QA/QC program in 2019. CRMs are used to determine laboratory accuracy in
the analysis of mineralized and unmineralized samples. Duplicate samples are used to determine
analytical precision and repeatability. Blank samples are used to test for cross contamination during
preparation and analysis stages. For each mineralized drill hole at least one certified reference material
(CRM) blank, one CRM standard, and one duplicate sample (MDUP) is inserted in the MINZ sample series.
One of two CRM standards is used: OREAS 124 (O124) if maximum grade is <1% eU 3O8 or BL-5 (BL5) if
maximum grade is >1% eU3O8.
For unmineralized samples such as composite and spot samples, field insertions are made at the rate of
1% for blanks, 2% for duplicates and 1% CRMs. The following protocols are followed:
• Sample IDs ending in 00 will be certified blanks (BLA1).
•Sample IDs ending in 25 and 75 will be duplicates (DUPL) of the preceding sample.
• Sample IDs ending in 50 will be CRM OREAS 120 (O120).
In addition to IsoEnergy’s QA/QC program, SRC conducted an independent QA/QC program, and its
laboratory repeats (REPT), non -radioactive laboratory standards (LSTD), and radioactive lab standards
(BL2A, BL4A, BL5) were monitored and tracked by IsoEnergy staff.
No QA/QC samples are inserted for reflectance samples as analyses are semi-quantitative only.
Assaying and Analytical Procedures
Composite and spot samples were shipped to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon for sample
preparation and analysis. SRC is an independent laboratory with ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 accreditation for
the relevant procedures.
The samples were then dried, crushed, and pulverized as part of the ICPMS Exploration Package (codes
ICPMS1 and ICPMS2) plus boron (code Boron). Samples were analyzed for uranium content, a variety of
pathfinder elements, rare earth elements, and whole roc k constituents with the ICPMS Exploration
Package (plus boron). The Exploration Package consists of three analyses using a combination of
inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma -optical emission
spectrometry (“ICP- OES”), and partial or total acid digestion of one aliquot of representative sample pulp
per analysis. Total digestion is performed via a combination of hydrofluoric, nitric, and perchloric acids
while partial digestion is completed via nitric and hydrochloric ac ids. In-house quality control performed
by SRC consists of multiple instrumental and analytic checks using an in -house standard ASR316.
Instrumental check protocols consist of two calibration blanks and two calibration standards. Analytical
protocols require one blank, two QA/QC standards, and one replicate sample analysis.
Samples with radioactivity over 350 CPS measured by Radiation Solutions RS - 125 were also shipped to
SRC. Sample preparation procedures are the same as for the ICPMS Exploration Package, samples were
analyzed by ICP-OES only (Code ICP1) and for U 3O8 using hydrochloric and nitric acid digestion followed
by ICP-OES finish, capable of detecting U3O8 weight percent as low as 0.001%.
Selective samples to be analyzed for gold, and in some instances, platinum and palladium, by fire assay
using aqua regia digestion with ICP -OES finish. Analytical protocols utilized replicate sample analysis;
however, no in-house standards were used for these small batches. Boron analysis has a lower detection
limit of 2 ppm and is completed via ICP -OES after the aliquot is fused in a mixture of s odium superoxide
(NaO2) and NaCO3. SRC in-house quality control for boron analysis consists of a blank, QC standards and
one replicate with each batch of samples.
Borehole Radiometric Probing Method
All successfully completed 2024 drillholes were radiometrically logged using calibrated downhole Mount
Sopris 2PGA-1000 probe which collects reading every 10 cm along the length of the drillhole. The 2PGA -
probe was sourced from Alpha Nuclear and was calibrated for the summer 2024 program by IsoEnergy
geologists at Saskatchewan Research Council facility in Saskatoon in May 2024. The total count gamma
readings using the 2PGA -1000 probe may not be directly or uniformly related to uranium grades of the
interval measured and are only a preliminary indication of the presence of radioactive minerals.
Sample Collection Methods
All drill core was systematically logged to record its geological and geotechnical attributes by IsoEnergy
geologists and geological technicians. All drill core is systematically photographed and scanned for
radioactivity with a handheld Radiation Solutions RS -125 spectrome ter. IsoEnergy geologists mark ed
sample intervals and sample types to be collected based on geological features in the core and on
radioactivity measured with the RS-125 in counts per second (CPS). Geologists and geological technicians
complete the on-site collection of several types of samples from drill cores.
Composite geochemistry samples consist of roughly one-centimetre-long chips of core collected every 1.5
m to geochemically characterize unmineralized sections of sandstone and basement. Composite sample
lengths are between five and ten m (typically 3 to 7 chips per sample). A minor revision to the sampling
protocols introduced in 2024 is that rather than maintaining five metre sample lengths from 50 m above
the unconformity to the unconformity, f or five metres above and two metres below the unconformity
composite sample intervals are now only 0.5 m long and the samples are composed of several chips of
core in each interval. This is to provide better resolution of anomalous geochemistry along the
unconformity, especially in greenfield exploration drill holes.
Split-core“spot” (i.e., representative) samples were collected through zones of significant but
unmineralized alteration and/or structure. Spot sample length varies depending on the width of the
feature of interest but are generally 0.5 m in length.
Split-core mineralization (“MINZ”) samples are collected through zones of elevated radioactivity
exceeding 350 CPS measured via RS -125 handheld spectrometer. MINZ samples are generally 0.5 m in
length. One half of the core was collected for geochemical analysis while the remaining half is returned to
the core box for storage on site. Intervals covered by MINZ samples are contiguous with and do not
overlap intervals covered by composite samples.
Systematic short-wave infrared (“SWIR”) reflectance (“REFL”) samples were collected from approximately
the middle of each composite sample for analysis of clays, micas, and a suite of other generally hydrous
minerals which have exploration significance. Spot reflectance samples were collected where warranted
(i.e., fracture coatings). Reflectance samples are not collected through mineralized zone.
For lithogeochemistry samples, sample tags with the sample number were placed in the sample bags
before they are sealed and packed in plastic pails or steel drums for shipment to the Saskatchewan
Research Council (“SRC”) Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. A second set of sample
tags with the depth interval and sample number were stapled in the core box at the end of each sample
interval. A third set of sample tag with the drill hole number, sample depth interval, and sample number
were retained in the sample book for archiving. SWIR reflectance samples are tagged in a similar fashion
as lithogeochemistry samples.
Geologists enter ed all geological, geotechnical and sample interval data into IsoEnergy’s drill hole
database during core logging.
Sample Shipment and Security
Drill core was delivered from the drill to IsoEnergy’s core handling facilities at the Larocque Lake camp
thereafter. Individual core samples were collected at the core facilities by manual splitting. They were
tagged, bagged, and then packaged in five-gallon plastic buckets or steel IP-2 drums for shipment to SRC
labs in Saskatoon. Shipment to the laboratory was completed by IsoEnergy’s expeditor, Little Rock
Enterprises of La Ronge, Saskatchewan and by Points North Freight Forwarding Inc. of Points North
Landing, Saskatchewan.
About IsoEnergy Ltd.
IsoEnergy Ltd. (TSX: ISO) (OTCQX: ISENF) is a leading, globally diversified uranium company with
substantial current and historical mineral resources in top uranium mining jurisdictions of Canada, the
U.S., Australia, and Argentina at varying stages of development, providing near, medium, and long-term
leverage to rising uranium prices. IsoEnergy is currently advancing its Larocque East Project in Canada’s
Athabasca Basin, which is home to the Hurricane deposit, boasting the world’s highest grade Indicated
uranium Mineral Resource.